Doug Mulligan, an 80-year-old Massachusetts resident, pleaded guilty on Mar. 24 in federal court to possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, according to U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled Mulligan's sentencing for July 7.
The case is significant because it involves not only illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon but also interference with an ongoing federal investigation into firearms trafficking across the U.S.-Canada border.
Creegan said, "Despite knowing that he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, the defendant chose to disregard federal law." She added, "Even more troubling, he used his position at a licensed firearms business to tip off individuals about federal law enforcement activity, undermining an active investigation into transnational, illicit firearms trafficking. Our office will continue to prosecute those whose actions enable criminals’ access to guns, and those who seek to interfere with law enforcement efforts to protect public safety."
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Greco said Mulligan repeatedly ignored warnings that he could not possess or handle firearms due to his felony conviction and used his role at American Trikes & Motorsports both for personal evasion of restrictions and obstruction of the investigation. Greco stated: "Mulligan used his association with a federal firearm licensee to not only evade restrictions on his own possession of firearms, but to obstruct a federal investigation into other guns being trafficked to prohibited persons. This conduct undermines both public safety and the diligent, responsible work of countless law-abiding firearm licensees across the country who endeavor to play by the rules and keep guns out of the hands of criminals."
Court documents show that Mulligan warned suspected traffickers by leaving them notes stating “ATF is watching u.” Surveillance footage later revealed him handling and purchasing a firearm from a customer despite being legally barred from doing so due to his prior felony conviction.
The maximum penalty for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person includes up to 15 years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years supervised release. Sentencing will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations led the probe with support from Canadian authorities Sûreté du Québec and Ontario Provincial Police as well as local agencies such as Keene Police Department.
